Modifications to the ThinkPad’s T series are not something that people take lightly. This venerable series of computers has a long history and a dedicated user base, so any changes to it are thoroughly examined and are almost always questioned–let’s just say that T series users tend to be resistant to change. In the not-so-distant past we’ve seen some notable changes–the T61p was transitioned to the W series, there was a slight change to the keyboard, and (the biggest of all recent changes) the T series went widescreen. Now Lenovo has another bomb to drop on ThinkPad fans: a new model.

The Thinkpad T400s is a lightweight version of the standard 14.1-inch T series model. The “s” suffix has been used before on the X series (such as the X61s and the X200s) and has generally meant a model that is slightly changed from the standard offering in order to save a few ounces and often extend the battery life. The T400s is significantly thinner and lighter than a standard T400 (and even more so compared to the 15-inch T500), plus it gets a number of changes under the hood, including the move to a 1.8-inch disk (from 2.5-inches) a new battery design, and different processor options.

The T400s arrived with Windows Vista Business SP1 32-bit, Intel’s Core 2 Duo P9600 (2.53Ghz) processor (aka SP9600), 2GB of RAM, a 128GB Toshiba SSD (1.8-inch), and Intel integrated 4500MHD graphics. Aside from the 128GB SSD, other options include 5400RPM hard drives, smaller and larger SSDs, and even FDE SSDs in 128GB and 256GB. There is no option to upgrade to discrete graphics.

Other features include mobile broadband, Intel’s WiFi Link 5300 a/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, a 2.0MP webcam with stereo microphone array (complete with a new mute button), fingerprint reader, and a DVD burner (Blu-ray optional). The 14.1-inch widescreen display is LED backlit and runs at 1440×900. External ports include USB, a powered USB (great for charging BlackBerry devices), a single jack for mic/headphone, ExpressCard/34, DisplayPort, eSATA/USB combo port, VGA-out, and ethernet. The system has a radio on/off switch, but it is noticeably missing a card reader (it’s an option, but the ExpressCard is there instead) and a modem jack.

The T400s measures 21.1 x 337 x 241mm (that’s 0.83-inches thick) and the starting weight is 3.91 lbs with the 6-cell battery and the optical drive. It is said to be 20% lighter and 25% thinner than the standard T400.

The T400s is such an interesting release because the T series was never about size or weight. These were factors, but it was always more focused on power, reliability, and features. This new model tries to get that power–most of it anyway–and those features and transition it all into a system that is under an inch thick and weighs under four pounds. Of course, that means sacrifices, including no discrete graphics option and a smaller disk, but many people out of the T series’ tremendous buyer base will be interested in what it offers up.

In addition to being lighter and thinner, a lot of features were tweaked on the T400s. The big changes–like the slice-style battery and single sound jack–are obvious but ThinkPad users will also notice subtle changes. These include a microphone mute button, a new style delete and escape buttons (double height), tweaked buttons for the pointing stick, the power button was changed slightly and has green backlighting, the volume buttons are now a single rocker, and the trackpad gets a new, very un-ThinkPad texture with multi-touch compatibility and a larger size. The touchpad is also flush with the palmrest, which is probably the main reason why we see that new texture. There will be a new style of dock for this system which this and future ThinkPads will be able to use. The display lid was slightly changed and comes to a curve near the top. Also the screen is centered on the lid, something nice to see on a T series machine.

Before anyone gets too worried–the T400s feels like a ThinkPad. The keyboard is slightly changed, but excellent, the build quality is very solid and the system generates very little heat. The materials are basically the same as they’ve always been, but the system feels lighter and thinner than you would expect (it’s easy to pick up with one hand when it’s open). Overall it feels like a mix of the T400 and the X301, and while impressive, it’s not as crazy-thin as the X301 (0.79-inches thick). Why is it a T series, not the R400s? Lenovo tells us that the “T-Series has always been the home of our thinnest and lightest 14-inch…” It was also pointed out that the T series (including the T400s) uses a 9.5mm optical drive while the R series uses a 12.7mm one.

As always, the keyboard is excellent-fast, accurate, and predictable–though the slight tweaks to the Delete and Escape keys won’t be universally loved. Individual keys are actually spaced together more closely, so fewer crumbs and other debris will fall between them. Users will be right at home and aside from the shorter system height it feels just like any ThinkPad. The pointing stick is unchanged, but its buttons are now slightly curved. They work great, though it’s not quite clear why the angle of the curve was chosen–it doesn’t seem to mesh perfectly with the thumbs while typing. The trackpad is 27% larger and works just as well as always. While the new texture is a bit odd for a ThinkPad, it’s accurate and the material never catches your finger the way some different textured trackpads can. Multi-touch gestures include commands for zooming in/out, rotation, and scrolling.

The 1440×900 display offers up a lot of room for a system this weight, and a standard amount for a 14-inch notebook. The use of LED backlighting is great to see and the screen gets pretty bright. It’s also great to see the display square in the middle of the lid–it was always odd to see it off-center–and while the display is very workable, there is still some room for improvement. The notebook’s sound is handled through two speakers on the sides of the keyboard which have been improved along with the webcam and media controls in order to optimize the system for VoIP and other communication tools. It sounds better than the average lightweight ThinkPad, but don’t expect to be blown away with the volume.

Based on the specs and the previous ThinkPad models, there wasn’t much concern about the T400s being a solid performer. It has no problems handling Vista and other daily tasks, just as you would expect from any recently released notebooks, lightweight or otherwise. The question with this model though is going to be, “But is it a T series?”. The lack of a discrete graphics option as well as the standard selection of processors, coupled with the use of a 1.8-inch disk will have some people concerned, but most people will probably come away pleasantly surprised. The use of an SSD in the test model certainly helps, but the option for 5400RPM drives instead of 4200RPM ones will make a difference as well. (While even the X series hasn’t used a 1.8-inch disk since the X41, Lenovo wouldn’t use a 1.8-inch on the T series until 5400RPM models were made available). So long as users don’t expect the system to do much graphical heavy lifting, and realize that this is a system that leans much more towards a stock T400 than it does a W500 (or the previous T61p) then everyone should be happy with what they get.

Lenovo rates the T400s’ battery life at up to 5.5 hours with the 6-cell battery (tested) and up to 8.5 hours with the 6-cell and a 3-cell battery in the bay (instead of the optical drive). As we saw with the X301, the extra 3-cell is a great addition, especially since we rarely use the DVD drive, but the 6-cell by itself did pretty well. People should not expect the battery life of a high-end ultraportable, but with 50% brightness, WiFi on, and doing general internet work you should be able to get about 3.5-4 hours of battery life. (We are still testing this number and are planning to update the article with findings after a bit more time with the computer). Lenovo’s Battery Stretch, along with its slider feature (battery life on one side and high performance on the other) helps out to maximize that last hour.

The thing to keep in mind about the ThinkPad T400s is that while the name might say differently, this is very much an extension of the mindset that brought us the X300. It’s thin, it’s light, and it has some thoughtful elements not found in the average T400 or R500. In fact, back in February 2008, when I said that the X300 was the future of the ThinkPads, it turns out that I wasn’t too far off, it just took longer than I expected for the trickle-down to come into effect.

The T400s has a starting price of $1599 so while there is a price premium, it’s not like what we saw with the release of the X300 (or the X301). Adding in the SSD and some other elements will of course increase the price, but Lenovo is very aware of what else is on the market and will be keeping the price competitive. As for that competition, it’s hard to find close matches right now, but there are HP’s EliteBook 2530p and 6930p (at 3.2 and 4.7 pound starting weights), the Dell Latitude E4300, and if you want to stretch things a bit you have the Panasonic Toughbook F8 and Samsung’s X460, which is a thin and light 14-inch notebook, but one aimed much more at consumers.

Overall, Lenovo did a great job of getting the best selling ThinkPad, the T400, and refining the design while shaving off some weight. Some ThinkPad purists will have complaints, but we should take notice that the red LED light is gone from the lid (it was very unThinkPad) and all the design changes are in line with what businesses expect from a T series notebook (for example, no titanium lid). Buyers will have to consider the lack of discrete graphics and limited options with the processor, as well as the use of a 1.8-inch disk, but you still have the optical drive, a great keyboard, and very nice build quality. For that person that needs a T series, but travels a lot or just wants to save some weight, the T400s will be an excellent option.

Reader Comments

http://arghyle.com Sal Cangeloso

So, who is getting one?

Laur

“…we should take notice that the red LED light is gone from the lid (it was very unThinkPad)…”

The red LED was never present on a T series (or any other model, past and present), it is only found on the SL series, which is not considered as being part of the ThinkPad family by most people (strong arguments being the keyboard layout and the absence of the ThinkLight).

manos

the spacing of the keys in previous models is safer for the case that liquid is spilled on the keyboard. it facilitates the draining. If the keys are too close together then the water slides to the side and probably in the interior of the machine.

http://arghyle.com Sal Cangeloso

@manos, Interesting theory but the space between keys isn’t that tight. Also, if the water spills to the sides it will be easily to brush away- say off the speakers or trackpad. Regardless, under the keyboard there are three drain holes (instead of two as in previous models) so my guess is that the T400s can handle spills better than other ThinkPads. I haven’t tested this though.

@Laur, I understand your point but the SL is the most recently released addition to the ThinkPad line, I was just making that comparison. As for it not being a true ThinkPad, I understand why you would think that, but if people at Lenovo thought that way it would be an IdeaPad or Lenovo-branded line. The SL is NOT a T series.

roger jones

Your article says the T400s has a 256GB option, but that is not the case. The max SSD option it has is 128GB. Here is to hoping that Lenovo offers this option by including a 256GB upgrade option on its Thinkpads. Apple and Dell currently offer it.

Brian

The UK website offers 256GB SSD but not the US website strangely. Hopefully the US will offer it soon